Festivals of GOA
COM P UTER PROJECT
Rasa Krushna Behera; Roll no.: 25
Content
Festivals of GOA
Goa Carnival
Sao Joao Festival
St Francis Xavier Feast
Bonderam
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Main Traditional Goa Festivals
1. Goa Carnival
This is the most famous festival and is being
celebrated since the 18th century. It was
started by the Portuguese who ruled the
state for more than 5 centuries. The
celebration is an expression of the 40-day
period of fasting of Lent, during which
abstinence from meat is a rule until Easter.
The carnival has colorful parades and
enactment of mythologies. It's vibrant colors
in the costumes, dances, and flags make it
the most happening fest of Goa.
2. Sao Joao Festival
The Feast of St. John, the Baptist is
celebrated on 24th June every year
as thanksgiving for the arrival of
monsoons. The most obvious
indication of monsoons is the filling
up of water bodies which is why
young people celebrate it by jumping
into lakes, streams, and wells. It is
further celebrated by organizing of
boat races and having Feni.
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3. St Francis Xavier Feast
Celebrated in the month of
December, this feast is celebrated
every year in Old Goa at the Basilica
of Bom Jesus. Preceding the feast of
9 days of Novenas are held and
attended by pilgrims from all over the
world. There is a fair too where
vendors sell sweetmeats, toys, and
clothing. The body of St Francis
Xavier lies in a silver casket in the
Church of Bom Jesus in Goa. St
Xavier was a great Catholic
missionary, who preached the
Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people
of Asia. It's definitely one of the most
famous festivals of Goa that you
can't miss out on if you're visiting
Goa in December
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4. Bonderam
During the Portuguese colonization
period, there were intense disputes
about sharing of land between two
sides of the Divar village. This quite
frequently led to conflicts, violence
and chaos. As a solution, the
government at that time
(Portuguese) marked the boundaries
with flags. Hence the festival
involves the presentation of mock
battles and colorfully painted boats.
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Thank You!
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